THE John Carty Festival Band will headline this year’s Return to Camden Town Festival, which will take place on the last weekend of this month and the first weekend in November.
The 15th annual event will showcase a number of traditional Irish musicians and singers and will take place throughout the London Irish Centre on Camden Square and in local pubs over both weekends.
TG4 Musician of the Year 2003 winner John Carty will perform with his Festival Band which he launched last year, featuring Shane McGowan, Kevin Doherty, James Carty, Kieran Munnelly, Colm Gannon, Maggie Carty and Daoiri Farrell.
The eight-piece Festival Band, whose musical influences include the 1920s, swing and jazz, will be one of the highlights over the first weekend, Friday 25 – Sunday 27 October.
Additional events over this weekend include the Leitrim Equation, Antrim singer Len Graham and an album launch by the Massachusetts accordion player, Colm Gannon.
Noreen O’Sullivan, one of Ireland’s most noted whistle players, and sister of the fiddle player, Frankie Gavin, is also making a rare concert appearance.
Young traditional musicians will also share the spotlight at the opening events on Friday 25 October, where a free concert will showcase the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Young Musicians of the Year for 2012 and 2013.
There will be a sold-out concert of composer and All-Ireland winner Órlaith McAuliffe, and her new band Crossharbour.
On the second weekend, Friday 1 – Sunday 3 November, there will be set dancing céilís with the Star of Munster and McNamara Céilí Bands and set and sean nós dance tuition by Mick Mulkerrin.
A final concert, in conjunction with Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann, will feature talented young Irish traditional musicians in England.
